Trustees and Constitution

OBG TRUSTEES

The Oxfordshire Bat Group became a registered charity in 2003 (registration number 1099226).

The current constitution (amendeded following the 2016 AGM) is shown below and includes a requirement for a maximum of six trustees, who meet twice each year. The current (2017-2018) trustees are as follows:

Chairman: David Endacott

Treasurer: Kathy Warden

Membership Secretary: Keith Cohen

Ordinary Member Stephen Heath

Ordinary Member Stuart Jenkins

Minutes and Admin Secretary: Kathy Warden

Next meeting of the Trustees:

There is thus currently a vacancy for one further trustee.

Next meeting of the Trustees:

Date to be confirmed and notified in October/November 2017: All OBG members are entitled (and encouraged) to attend the trustees meetings as observers.

As adopted at the AGM held on 12 March 2003 and amended at the AGM held on 21 st April 2016

Name
The name of the charity is the Oxfordshire Bat Group or such other name as the trustees may from time to time decide with the approval of the Charity Commissioners.

Objectives
1. To advance the protection and conservation of bats, their roosts, feeding areas and hibernacula primarily in Oxfordshire.
2. To educate the public and the Group’s members in all matters related to bats, including the production of literature.

Powers
In addition to any other powers that they have, the trustees may exercise the following powers in furtherance of their objectives:
1. Power to promote the training of members for licensing as volunteer bat workers.
2. Power to raise funds and to invite and receive contributions, providing that in raising funds the trustees shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities.
3. Power to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the objects.

Trustees
The trustees of the Oxfordshire Bat Group will be appointed annually at the AGM and will consist of the chair, secretary and treasurer plus three others all of whom must be paid up members of the Oxfordshire Bat Group. Nominations for the trustees should be received by the secretary before the commencement of the AGM and each must be supported by two other paid up members. The position of chair, secretary and treasurer will be elected separately if there is more than one nomination. In the case that there are no nominations received for any position before the meeting begins then nominations from the floor will be accepted. Elections will normally be by show of hands but the meeting can decide to operate a secret ballot, which will be supervised by any officer or member present who is agreed by the meeting and not involved in the particular ballot. In the event of the resignation of one or two trustees during their year of appointment the remaining trustees may co-opt replacements from the membership of the Oxfordshire Bat Group or they may agree to continue at the reduced number at their discretion. If more than two replacement trustees are required and there is more than four months before the AGM is due, the Committee must call a General Meeting to appoint replacement trustees. In the event of any of the three officers appointed at the AGM resigning, then the other trustees may at their discretion appoint replacements from amongst their number with replacement trustees being appointed as above.

Trustees meetings

The trustees will meet at least twice each year and the regular meetings will be publicised in the newsletter and all Oxfordshire Bat Group members will be entitled to attend and speak but not to vote. The quorum for a trustee meeting will be three. The trustees will have the power to exclude other members for specific items if sensitive items such as personal matters relating to an individual or individuals are to be discussed. The chair of any trustee meetings has a second casting vote in the case of a tied vote.

General meetings
The Oxfordshire Bat Group will hold one Annual General Meeting each year which will elect the trustees, approve the accounts and decide any other matters it considers appropriate. The trustees can call a general meeting at any time to consider any matter and will be required to do so if they receive a request for a general meeting signed by at least 10% of the membership. Any general meeting will have the power to amend the constitution of the Group or replace any or all of the trustees providing that at least 66% of those paid up members present are in favour. At least 21 days notice of any general meeting to all members is required, and the quorum for any general meetings will be six members or 5% of the current paid up membership, whichever is the greater.

Membership

Membership is open to any interested individuals or groups at rates of subscription to be determined at any general meeting.Membership will cease by failure to renew membership or by a letter of resignation to the secretary.

Termination of Membership

In the case of there being a good and sufficient reason the trustees can terminate the membership of any individual or group subject to their being given two weeks notice of this proposal and to their being given the option to be heard at the trustees meeting where they can be represented by a friend.

Accounts

The Oxfordshire Bat Group will keep and prepare its accounts in accordance with the provisions of the Charities Act 1993 Statement of Recommended Practice. The trustees will maintain bank or building society accounts with the signatories of the accounts being the chair, secretary and treasurer with the signatures of any two being required for any transaction.

Except with the prior permission of the Charity Commissioners no trustee may:

1. Receive any benefit in money or kind from the charity, or

2. Have a financial interest in the supply of goods or services to the charity, or

3. Acquire or hold any interest in property of the charity (except in order to hold it as a trustee of the charity).

Power Of Ammendment

Subject to the following provisions of this clause the constitution may be amended by a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting at a general meeting. The notice of the general meeting must include notice of the resolution setting out the terms of the amendment proposed.

No amendment may:

1. Change the clauses relating to the objects, trustees personal interest or dissolution without the prior written permission of the Charity Commissioners.

2. Have the effect of making the Oxfordshire Bat Group cease to be a charity at law.

The trustees must send the Charity Commissioners a copy of any amendment made, and keep a copy of any such amendment with this constitution.

Dissolution

If the trustees decide that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Oxfordshire Bat Group, they shall call a meeting of all members with at least 21 days notice of the resolution to be proposed. If the proposal is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, the trustees shall have the power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of the Oxfordshire Bat Group. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any debts or liabilities shall be given or transferred to such charitable institution or institutions having objectives similar to the objectives of the Oxfordshire Bat Group as shall be determined at the dissolution meeting by the members present.

This constitution is as adopted by the Oxfordshire Bat Group at its AGM on 12 March 2003 in accordance with the provisions of its existing constitution, and as amended at the AGM on 21 April 2016.

Bat Rescue and Care

If you find a grounded bat local volunteers can be contacted between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on the numbers shown below. Outside those hours please follow the guidance on the Bat Rescue page to keep the bat safe until you can contact someone. Thank you for your help.

Please note these phone numbers are for calls about grounded bats only. If you have a general enquiry please contact us at info@oxfordshirebats.org